Top 10 things what to do in Kuala Lumpur (KL) - Travel Guide

It’s a short hop from Singapore, making it a great weekend or short break getaway, as well as the gateway to exploring much more of Malaysia. But if you’re heading to KL soon, you’re probably wondering what to do in Kuala Lumpur to make the most of your time. This guide covers all you need to know.

We’ll walk through what to do in Kuala Lumpur, and also introduce Wise as the perfect way to save money when spending in MYR. Make the most of your trip to Malaysia with our guide and your handy Wise card.

Table of contents
Catch the view from Petronas Towers Check out the world’s tallest flagpole Visit the Islamic Arts Museum KL Forest Eco Park Batu Caves Muzium Negara - Malaysia’s National Museum Kuala Lumpur Bird Park Eat Michelin quality - whatever your budget Check out what’s on at REXKL Learn something new with your significant other

1. Catch the view from Petronas Towers

Start your visit to KL with a view! The Petronas Twin Towers is a symbol of the city, and visible from the plane as you land on some routes into the city. You can join one of nearly 40 tours a day, to view the building and the city, first from the iconic Skybridge on the 41st floor, and then from right up top, on the Petronas Towers observation deck on the 86th floor. You’ll then get to view the interactive displays on floor 83, to round out your visit.

Address: Tickets available from - Lower Ground (Concourse) Level, PETRONAS Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, tour tickets available from 9:00 am daily

Learn more: Petronas Towers

2. Check out the world’s tallest flagpole

If the world’s tallest flagpole doesn’t sound like it should be number two in our list of fun things to do in Kuala Lumpur, let us explain. KL is home to the world’s tallest flagpole, and it’s in Merdeka Square, the place the Malaysian flag was first raised upon independence from the British in 1957. Like our own Padang, Merdeka Square is home to National Day celebrations, and cricket matches, and surrounded by beautiful buildings which are worth a visit - and an Insta shot - in their own right.

Address: Merdeka Square, Jln Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur,

Learn more: Malaysia tourist info - Merdeka Square

3. Visit the Islamic Arts Museum

Learn about Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage over 2 floors, and 12 permanent galleries at the Islamic Arts Museum. Displays include architecture, manuscripts, jewellery, armour, coins and seals, woodwork, metals and ceramics. Displays are also split by geographical region and time period to bring depth to the experience, showing Malaysia’s ties to other countries including India and Spain, and eras like the Ottoman Empire. Tickets for adults are 20 MYR, while children under 6 go free.

Address: Jalan Lembah Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm daily

Learn more: Islamic Arts Museum

4. KL Forest Eco Park

Hankering for some nature already? Just a couple of kilometres outside of the centre of KL you’ll find the Forest Eco Park, a patch of tropical rainforest surrounded by the concrete jungle, which you can visit to recharge and have a short hike. There’s a small entrance fee to pay, but you’ll be able to go to the visitor centre to learn more about the area and the flora and fauna to look out for, and either wander by yourself or take a guided tour if you’d prefer.

Address: Lot 240, Bukit Nanas, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50250, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm daily

Learn more: KL Forest Eco Park

5. Batu Caves

An important pilgrimage site for Hindus, and a popular tourist draw year round, the Batu Caves are a series of caves and cave temples, just a few kilometres outside of KL. The main cave does mean you need to walk up close to 300 steps, but you’re rewarded with a beautiful and atmospheric cave and a great view from the top. The caves get particularly busy during the Thaipusam festival which falls in January or February, but it’s an interesting place to visit year round. Watch out for the monkeys!

Address: Arrange a tour from your hotel, or take the KTM Komuter train on the Batu Caves-Port Klang route to the Batu Caves stop - it’s only a few minutes walk from the station

Opening hours: Vary depending on the specific cave

Learn more: Malaysia tourist info - Batu Caves

6. Muzium Negara - Malaysia’s National Museum

Learn more about Malaysia’s history and heritage in the national museum - Muzium Negara. Galleries span from prehistory, featuring Perak Man, the oldest and near intact human skeleton in Southeast Asia, through to the history of the Malay Kingdoms, the Colonial Era and then modern-day Malaysia. Browse the beautifully displayed items and get your culture fix.

Address: Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jln Damansara, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50566 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily

Learn more: Muzium Negara

7. Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

If you need great things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids, the KL Bird Park should be on your list. Home to one of the world’s largest free flight aviaries, the bird park is a treat for any animal lover, with loads of interesting species including some endangered birds you’d be unlikely to spot in the wild. Get your cameras at the ready and head off for a few hours of fun bird spotting.

Address: 920 Jalan Cenderawasih, Taman Tasik Perdana 50480, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Learn more: KL Bird Park

8. Eat Michelin quality - whatever your budget

Unsurprisingly, the people of KL appreciate their food as much as we do - which means there are 66 Michelin rated places to pick from, spanning from budget friendly to super luxe. No matter what you fancy - from claypot chicken rice or banana leaf curry, through to contemporary French or Japanese, you’re going to find it. If this is a trip for you and your makan kakis, Michelin eating should be top on your list of things to do in Kuala Lumpur.

Learn more: Michelin Guide - KL

9. Check out what’s on at REXKL

Formerly the Rex Theater, one of the oldest theatres in the country, REXKL is now a vibrant place with cafes, restaurants, exhibition spaces and community facilities - well worth checking out. Take a break in the food hall, wander round the exhibitions, which change regularly, or consider a class - REXKL is a cultural and learning space for locals and tourist which allows you to engage in a range of activities from art jams and barista training, through to watch parties, touring shows and documentary screening.

Address: 80 Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 8:30 am - 10:00 pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am - midnight Friday to Sunday

Learn more: REXKL

10. Learn something new with your significant other

Coming to KL with your SO and looking for things to do in Kuala Lumpur for couples? Check out Good Times DIY, which offers classes for individuals, couples, families and kids. Choose to take a baking class, learn to make ceramics, or try tufting - there are options for all levels and interests. Baking classes are split by level of experience, so you can learn anything from basic muffin making, to advanced pastry skills depending on how proficient you are already. Plus, you get to eat your goodies at the end. A perfect date.

Address: MyTOWN Shopping Centre, 55100, Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm daily

Learn more: Good Times

Travelling to Malaysia? Get the Wise card to spend MYR without losing on exchange rates and foreign transaction fees

Make your SGD - or whatever your home currency is - go further with Wise.

Before you head off to Malaysia, download the Wise app, register an account and order your Wise card for a low, one time fee.

Add some money in dollars, and you’re ready to start spending in MYR with no foreign transaction fees, and the mid-market exchange rate. You’ll just pay a low Wise conversion fee from 0.43%¹, which means you can do more, for less while you’re in KL.

Wise accounts hold 40+ currencies and your card can be used in 150+ countries - so you can save with Wise on your next trip to Malaysia - or more or less wherever else in the world you decide to go.

Order a Wise card today!

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